INGENIOUS DODGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 10

INGENIOUS DODGE

CAFE PROPRIETORS DEFRAUDED. (Fbom Oub Own Cohbespondent.) SYDNEY, January 3. Melbourne cafe proprietors have just awakened to an ingenious dodge practised upon them by patrons who aio systematically evading payment of amounts due for articles supplied. This ia the system. A party of three persons will enter a cafe and order from the menu edibles that are chargeable at 2s each. The waitress will give them a docket for the amount due, handing it to the person giving the order. Awaiting a favourable opportunity, tho party will then remove to a distant table, and there order a soft fountain drink each, costing 9d altogether. Receiving the docket for this, the party will leave tho cafe, presenting the second docket only, and paying tho 9d. Tims, they beat the cafe proprietor for 5s 3d. The practice, it is stated, has become bo common, and tho consequent losses so considerable, that many of the larger establishments are now employing special agents to defeat these evasions. Several attempts have already been frustrated, the customers being politely reminded that they have overlooked another docket, that, doubtless, they will find in their pockets.